Official MSI GE60 & GE70 2012 Owners' Lounge

Forge, How's the Bulletproof mSata SSD? When installing did you have any issues with that plug with all of it's tiny wires getting in the way?

 

Wasn't so hard. Just took some jiggling to get in right. I'm a bit embarrased to admit it, but the battery puzzled me more than the msATA slot.

 

Awesome thanks! Yup, the hinged battery is weird.

I'll probably get the Crucial CT512M4SSD3 when it's available as long as it's under $500. I noticed that NewEgg is now carrying the ADATA SX300 (which is what the MyDigitalSSD Smart series is based on).

Any issues with the Sandforce controller? I still have nightmares from my Vertex II.

 

Yeah... oh well its not a big deal... it still idle at 50oC.. and it fix itself after a reboot...

Also... does overclocking the video memory really helps? cause when i play skyrim or deus ex the gpu auto clock to 950 and stay like that the whole game...

Thanks again.

 

Well, my Dellienware uses a Sandforce in its Vertex LE (which has been running without a hitch), but other than that I have no other experience with Sandforce.

I've used an Intel G2, the aforementioned Vertex LE, and the BP3, which uses a Phison controller.

 

I have 2 x Vertex 2(34nm Intel Nand)in a desktop for 25 months that keep on ticking.

I my notebooks I have V3MIs and SandDisk Extreme that are and have been running great.

My only bad experience with SSDs was with a GSkill Pheonix that died,died and died again thus replaced under warranty a few times.

 

I keep confusing the Bulletproof series with the 'SMART' series.
So it's Phison on the BP3, and SandForce SF2281 (doesn't support AES256) on the Smart series.
Thanks Forge!

WTP, Doesn't the Phoenix use the same SF1200 controller as the Vertex II? Same NAND too? In your case, was it the GSkill firmware that caused the problems?

Thanks fellas.

MegaBUD, in my experience nVidia GPU Boost only auto-oc's the GPU core clocks, and not the memory clocks. There seems to be high oc'ing potential with the GTX 660M but this year's GPUs seem to run hotter than last year's GPUs, plus the MSI GE-series are quite thin, making cooling obviously more difficult. I haven't had any problems with mine, but I don't oc while gaming.

 

My error,I should have said the GSkill Falcon not the Pheonix.

I passed on the Pheonix and went with a 100GB V2 and a 120GB Extended.

The V2s work great in the desktop and an LG notebook but in an MSI GT780DX they are not recognized on a cold boot but appear on a reboot.

The 128GB Falcon was just like the OCZ Vertex with the Indilinx Barefoot controller.

In the Falcon was Samsung NAND memory and Elpida 64MB cache.

Just bad luck for my 1st of many SSDs.
______

With the MyDigitalSSD BP3 mSATA it's easy to see they're using the excellent 24nm Toshiba Toggle NAND but in the higher end SMART mSATA the NAND is a mystery and not identifiable with all the searches I did.

 

Hey, first of all thanks to everyone who has posted on this forum so far. Just bought a ge60 0nd-042us which hopefully will be here tomorrow or Tuesday.

I was going to get a mydigitalssd 128gb bulletproof 3. I have never installed an ssd and was wondering if there was any bios or windows settings I should apply to get the most out of it. Of if there is a guide to installing windows 7 on a ssd.

Thanks.

 

So... overclocking the the memory wouldnt add many fps? but would add even more heat and noise?

Temp is stable at 80 during starcraft 2... just that sometimes fps drop below the 30 mark...

Thanks for your help.

 

Mydigitalssd is still unethically selling defective 64GB drives, all their other sizes/models are very good though. There's a zillion page discussion on the ssd forum section here about it

 

The MyDigitalSSD Smart series might be a better choice or a Muskin Atlas DX.

Installing on an SSD is very similar to installing on a mechanical HDD.

To save up to 12GB of space on an SSD you can turn off hibernation.

Run powercfg -h off as administrator

MyDigitalSSD SMART mSATA SSD Review:
MyDigitalSSD SMART 256GB mSATA SSD Review - Top Performance Unmatched Capacity Killer Price - The SSD Review

MyDigitalSSD BulletProof 3 mSATA Review:
MyDigitalSSD BulletProof 3 mSATA 256GB SSD Review - Availability, Capacity and Value - The SSD Review

 

Anyone check to see if they are getting SATA III speeds with their SSD when it is placed in the normal HD slot? I am getting read/write of like 250/165 on a Patriot Pyro SE when it should be maxing in the 500's for each, I am getting SATA II speeds. Is the normal HD slot not SATA III?

 

I don't own your model.

Chipset supports 2 x SATA III

Have you installed the Intel Chipset Installation Software?

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?DwnldID=20906

 

Can anybody link me to a review of the ge60?thanks


Currently:Macbook unibody 13.3 late 2008.
Getting a 9130 or a 6110.

 

Review MSI GE60-i789W7H Notebook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews

Review MSI MS-16GA Barebone Notebook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews

 

Is there a big difference in performance between the Msi Ge60 with 650m and with 660m, both having the i7-3610qm processor. I guess they're not going to sell the 660m version in my country which is a pity..
How about the heating during gaming? What's the average temperature during gaming (in Celsius please).

 

Is the key that came with the GE60 the one on the white sticker on the wrapping of the Windows 7 Home Premium manual with the format "XXX-XXXXXXX-XXX"?

Also what should be installed on the SSD? All programs or is it really only necessary to put the OS on there?

 

From what i saw... the 650m ddr5 is the same thing as the 660m... just slower clock... and you can still overclock it...

I went for the 660m because it feels weird to overclock a laptop

 

Forge, any luck on some successful mods? I'm running at about 90c on my GE 60, 660m on load and this thing gets HOT. I'm going to try some new thermal paste, etc. but wanted to know if you had any success stories as of yet

 

I have the GE60 and have only had one issue with it being unable to switch back to integrated graphics. It turned out to be because I had a gpu monitoring gadget on the sidebar. Got rid of that and everything went back to normal.

660m version.

 

Look around here.

Not for the faint of heart, haha.

 

I have played with the 650m for about a month and it feels like kepler + good cooling is like made for overclocking. In my experience, you should have no problem overclocking the 650m core by +135 MHz to just barely outperform a stock 660m

 

I am not sure if I did or not but that says for desktop boards.

EDIT: I think speeds are even slower now lol.

 

The Intel chipset and RST (AHCI driver specifically on this laptop) most likely won't improve performance but more importantly tells Windows how to communicate with the hardware. Shouldn't be skipped. I learned the hard way with the nVidia chipset on a R1 m17x, but that's another story.

 

finally unpacked my new ge70 and boy oh boy what a difference... the trackpad is delightfully normal... not all buggy and crazy... keyboard actually feels a little better too, not as many missed keystrokes.

I've had this mushkin msata sitting on my desk for over a week now.. finally ready to install this puppy....

question about clean install... i was wondering if there is a central location for all the drivers/programs that came with the laptop?

I noticed that the drivers disc didn't come with the supercharger app, nor the thx truStudio, and was wondering if there was a place where all the "bloatware" can be found.... thanks!

 

Did the stock computer come with Supercharger and the THX thing? I don't know since I erased the HDD and clean installed on my BP3 first thing, haha.

 

Did you check the download section for GE60/70 on msi.com? They got a whole lot of stuff there

 

well the turbo thing clock my gpu to 950 if needed... can that 650m get that far with a normal overclock?

Did you try to play with the gpu ram?

 

shniggies, Good to hear your new GE trackpad works well. I got a good one too - lucky.

I'm one of those types that monitors system processes and absolutely despises a bloated system, but I found S-Bar to be convenient. That's it though. You may need to make changes to the registry if you want S-Bar to auto-run at boot. (Value data for S-Bar in HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run should be "C:\Program Files (x86)\S-Bar.exe" if you want it to auto-run at boot.) Disable it if you don't using msconfig or CCleaner.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
From my notes; of course you can find newer drivers elsewhere, but install at your own risk:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Clean Installation: Install Drivers & Utilities in the following order from the MSI Website (Option 2):
The latest for the GE60-0ND (GTX 660M). Checked on 7/9/2012:
MSI Global – Download Center
_____________________________________________________________________________________
*** BIOS: This was installed. (You must make a bootable USB flash drive to flash the BIOS; instructions are on the webpage).

Description Modify Intel Virtualization Technology to Enable.
Version 10A
Type BIOS Release Date 2012-06-01
Download 16GA_10A.zip File Size 2.72 MB
Note N/A
_____________________________________________________________________________________
*** Driver:

*Installed-Same as Stock DVD: Intel(R) 7 Series Chipset
Description Intel(R) 7 Series/C216 Chipset Family
Version 9.3.0.1020
Type Chipset Release Date 2012-05-03
OS Win7 64, Win7 32
Download cs_intel7series_9.3.0.1020_al00.zip File Size 2.87 MB

*Installed-(ME FW Update is installed too)-Same as Stock DVD: Intel Management Engine
Description N/A Version 8.0.0.1262
Type Intel Management Engine Release Date 2012-04-25
OS Win7 64, Win7 32
Download me_8.0.0.1262_w700.zip File Size 1.09 MB

*Installed-Same as Stock DVD: Intel Rapid Storage Technology
Description N/A Version 11.1.0.1006
Type Intel Rapid Storage Technology Release Date 2012-05-04
OS Win7 32
Download irs_11.1.0.1006_w700.zip File Size 11.33 MB

*Installed-Same as Stock DVD: Intel HD Graphics Family_Intel Ivy Bridge
Description N/A Version 8.15.10.2712
Type VGA Release Date 2012-05-04
OS Win7 32
Download vga_iib_8.15.10.2712_w732.zip File Size 112.86 MB

*Installed-Same as Stock DVD: NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M Graphic Card (Hey nVidia, Where are the certified 660M drivers?)
Description N/A Version 8.17.12.9631
Type VGA Release Date 2012-06-07
OS Win7 32
Download ge600nc_gt650m_8.17.12.9631_w732.zip File Size 140.23 MB

*Installed-Same as Stock DVD: Realtek HD Audio
Description N/A Version 6.0.1.6602
Type Audio Release Date 2012-04-20
OS Win7 64, Win7 32
Download ad_alc892_6.0.1.6602 _w700.zip File Size 151.42 MB

*Installed-Same as Stock DVD: Realtek LAN
Description N/A Version 7.50.1123.2011
Type LAN Release Date 2012-05-07
OS Win7 64, Win7 32
Download lan_rtl8111e_vl_cg_7.50.1123.2011 _w700.zip File Size 5.61 MB

*Installed-Same as Stock DVD: Realtek Card Reader
Description N/A Version 6.1.7601.90
Type Card Reader Release Date 2012-04-25
OS Win7 64, Win7 32
Download cr_rts5209_6.1.7601.90_w700.zip File Size 10.78 MB

*Installed-Same as Stock DVD: (WiFI) Intel Canyon Peak Centrino Wireless-N 135 / N130 + BT4.0
Description N/A Version 15.1.1.1
Type Wireless LAN Release Date 2012-05-04
OS Win7 64, Win7 32
Download wl_intel_n135_15.1.1.1_w700.zip File Size 580.36 MB

*Installed-Same as Stock DVD: (Bluetooth) Intel Canyon Peak Centrino Wireless-N 135 + BT4.0
Description N/A Version 2.0.15.30150
Type Bluetooth Release Date 2012-05-04
OS Win7 64, Win7 32
Download bt_intel_n35_2.0.15.30150_w700.zip File Size 321.72 MB

*Installed-Same as Stock DVD: Elantech Multi Touchpad
Description N/A Version 8.0.5.7
Type TouchPad Release Date 2012-05-11
OS Win7 64, Win7 32
Download mtp_etd_8.0.5.7_al00.zip File Size 20.74 MB

*Installed-Same as Stock DVD: Intel USB 3.0 driver
Description N/A Version 1.0.4.220
Type USB 3.0 Release Date 2012-04-20
OS Win7 64, Win7 32
Download usb_intel_1.0.4.220 _W700.zip File Size 6.81 MB

Install .NET 4.0 from:
Download: Microsoft .NET Framework 4 (Standalone Installer) - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details

Install the latest nVidia PhysX driver from (middle-left of page):
Drivers - Download NVIDIA Drivers

*Installed-(Same as Stock DVD; Make Changes to Registry as referenced above): S-Bar 2.0
Description Please take note that before installing S-Bar 2.0, Microsoft.NET Framework 4 should be installed first. You may download it directly from the Microsoft Official website.
Version 21.012.04278
Type Utility Release Date 2012-05-07
OS Win7 64, Win7 32
Download sbar20_21012_04278.zip File Size 12.69 MB
Note N/A
____________________________________________________________________________________
Not Applicable: Beta_Bigfoot LAN
Description N/A Version 6.1.0.367
Type LAN Release Date 2012-07-03
OS Win7 64, Win7 32
Download beta_lan_bigfoot_6.1.0.367_w700.zip File Size 267.87 MB

Not Applicable: Bigfoot LAN
Description N/A Version 8.0.2.31
Type LAN Release Date 2012-04-20
OS Win7 32
Download lan_bigfoot_8.0.2.31_w732.zip File Size 251.97 MB

Not Needed/And I Didn't Install the Cyberlink 'Simple Camera' Application from the Stock DVD: Camera
Description This device uses the native driver bundled in operating system.
Version N/A
Type Camera Release Date 2010-06-24
OS Win7 32
Download N/A File Size 0 MB

Not Needed/Not Installed: Super Charger
Description 1. utility for msi products to charge Apple iPad/iPhone4.
Version 1.2.010
Type Utility Release Date 2012-05-31
OS Win7 64, Win7 32, Vista 64, Vista 32, XP 64, XP 32
Download SuperCharger_mb.zip File Size 3.56 MB
Note N/A

Not Needed/Not Installed: Battery Callibratio
Description N/A Version 1.0.1105.1601
Type Utility Release Date 2012-05-07
OS Win7 64, Win7 32
Download BatteryCalibration_101105_1601.zip File Size 2.52 MB
Note N/A

Not Needed/Not Installed: THX Speaker EQ
Description N/A Version 1.00.39
Type Utility Release Date 2012-05-07
OS Win7 64, Win7 32
Download THXSpeaker_EQ_10039.zip File Size 3.35 MB
Note N/A

Not Needed/Not Installed: Intel Turbo Boost Monitor
Description N/A Version 2.5.1.0
Type Utility Release Date 2012-05-07
OS Win7 64, Win7 32
Download Turbo_Boost_2510.zip File Size 21.98 MB
Note N/A

Older than Stock DVD (09.12.0213): PhysX SS
Description N/A Version 9.11.1111
Type Utility Release Date 2012-05-07
OS Win7 64, Win7 32
Download PhysXss_911_1111.zip File Size 30.42 MB
Note N/A

Not Needed/Not Installed: THX AP Driver(10411)
Description N/A Version 1.04.11
Type Utility Release Date 2012-04-24
OS Win7 64, Win7 32
Download THX_AP_10411.zip File Size 12.73 MB
Note N/A

I guess you didn't see the review link in my sig. THX is worthless IMO and I wish professional reviewers would be honest about it, instead of saying things like "Wow, the speakers are THX-certified," or "the hall effect makes movies sound huge." But of course, that's just my opinion.

 

try this one instead

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Det...hipset+Software+Installation+Utility&lang=eng

 

One thing I'm particularly liking about Kepler is how aggressive the downclocking is. I was playing CS:S, which isn't a very intense game at all. My clocks kept dropping here and there, yet I maintained a steady 60FPS. Because of the downclocking I had some very low temperatures.

 

650m standard: core boost 835 MHz, memory 2000 MHz

I overclocked with MSI afterburner to core boost 970 MHz and memory 2750 MHz. At those clocks it runs perfectly

 

Cool, I'll more than likely try the hole grid, and I have some heat sinks on order. I also did some cosmetic mods as well. I hate fingerprints so I took some 600 grit sandpaper and finished off with a 1500 grit wetsand.



The top was a flat black and steel wool to keep with the brushed look

 

I need to get up the nerve to take sandpaper on the gloss plastic, drive me nuts.

Oh yeah those blue blinky lights are too bright too. How nice to have a glare reducing screen with blue lights that blast flashes of light into your eyeball constantly.

Maybe some translucent tape that dims but doesn't block them?

Also too much resistance on the keys for a fast touch typist, needlessly fatiguing. Maybe if I rested a book on the keys overnight? LOL

I actually love this computer, I'm just good at finding small things to whine about

 

It really cuts down on the fingerprints, but the palm rests still need some touchup, I'm thinking about going over with some 2500-3000 grit here to really polish it up

 

So no problem? Sweet. I got my Windows 7 Ultimate on a USB stick so I'm definitely going to do that.

Thank you both

I got my laptop today. Time to do the SSD install!

 

mmmm not sure why i didn't think of that... thanks!

wow thanks!
i loved the quality of the audio, so i wanted to be sure i can replicate it in case doing a clean wipe made any changes that I didn't like...

 

When you sanded this down did you go in the same direction the whole time? I see you removed the keyboard, but did you tape anything down to get even lines and how exactly did you do the cover?

Another option if you don't want to sand it is to use a 3m wrap that if you don't like you just peel it off and your laptop is protected from most minor dings if you ever want to sell it down the line.

 

how deep did you sandpaper it off until you got the red stripes and MSI logo to come off?

 

I actually just did a light sand, adhesion promoter, then about 10 light coats of flat black. No sanding down to any sort of surface

 

Is anyone using a HDD caddy for the ODD bay? If you are, can you post a photo of how it looks in the chassis as well as where you purchased it from?

Everytime I see a link to a caddy it's like 50 USD or more, which seems a little extreme for a basic controller and enclosure.

 

question:
what did everyone use to keep the msata down? do you need to screw it in? does it ground it? why don't they provide one?....

 

There's supposed to be a screw that came with your drive.

 

really?! i don't see one... anyone else get a screw with their mushkin msata atlas drive?
[EDIT] just read the newegg reviews and apparently it doesn't come with one.... argh

i went through my pile of old comp parts and i don't have anything this thin... even the case screws for the laptop are too thick... they go through the hole for the drive, but they don't screw into the mobo...

 

Hello - just got a GE60-0042 from Gentechpc and I'm not sure it is working right. Nothing I run can detect the 660m video card. I tried the NVIDIA control panel, device manager, and even downloading the latest beta drivers but nothing detected the card. Is there something I am missing or does it sound defective?

Thanks!
Gene

 

Yes most SSD drives doesn't comes with screw, you can remove the optical drive and borrow one of the screws from the metal bracket on the back of the optical drive, that screw should fit.

Does device manger sees Intel Graphics 4000? try insert the drivers DVD and reinstall the nVidia driver.

 

anyone know how to recovery this 10gb?

 

@shniggies from a command prompt run diskpart
type list disk
find the disk in question by number and type select disk (number)
type list partition
find the partition in question by number and type select partition (number)
when you are sure you have the correct disk, and partition selected type
delete partiton override
you can use some software like easeus to move partitions around and expand your primary partition to use up that 10gb.

Example:

DISKPART> list disk

Disk ### Status Size Free Dyn Gpt
-------- ------------- ------- ------- --- ---
Disk 0 Online 698 GB 0 B
Disk 1 Online 119 GB 0 B

DISKPART> select disk 1

Disk 1 is now the selected disk.

DISKPART> list part

Partition ### Type Size Offset
------------- ---------------- ------- -------
Partition 1 Primary 11 GB 31 KB
Partition 2 Primary 101 MB 11 GB
Partition 3 Primary 107 GB 11 GB

DISKPART> select part 1

Partition 1 is now the selected partition.

 

Anyone brave enough to fiddle with these heat sinks?

Akasa AK-VCM01-BK VGA RAM heatsink | eBay

Copper DDR DDR3 Ram Memory Cooler HeatSink For Ram VGA - UK SELLER #A-224 | eBay